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Too many times, I have heard the African continent described as a country with one homogeneous ethnic group. Considering that the continent is 30.4 million square metres (m2) in size, dwarfing Russia at 17.1m2, according to Nature America , and easily swallows up China, India, the US and most of Europe, isn't it about time her true might is reflected properly? I recently met a man who, through his work and in his spare time, has visited 53 of the 54 countries recognised by the African Union. It may have taken him 25 years but his experiences have helped to give him a more balanced appreciation of the continent, her people and the politics. In the first of three podcast instalments here , l awyer and journalist Dr Feyi Ogunade  talks candidly about nation building and corruption and tells us some of his favourite cuisines and destinations. This podcast is based on questions from MisBeee Writes readers. Music in this podcast is ...

British-Ghanaian journalist and videographer Kai Lutterodt can trace her ancestry back five generations to the Tabom people, (check part one 'Roots and culture I' here ).   The Taboms were an Afro-Brazilian community of former slave returnees, mainly of Yoruba descent, that migrated to Nigeria initially and then settled in Ghana*. © Kai Lutterodt (centre) is flanked by Carnival-goers in Bahia 2013 The community derived its name from the Portuguese phrase: ‘esta bom’ or ‘ta bom’ for short, which means it is good. As the story goes, the returnees could not speak the Ga language spoken in Accra, or English so when locals asked them questions, their response was typically: ‘Ta bom’ – hence their name. Since then, the Tabom name has undergone a further transformation to Tabon, which is thought to be francophanisation of the name. Spiritual journey For Lutterodt, the exploration of her Tabom heritage was powerfully spiritual and gave her an opportunity to connec...

Traditionally, eating meat has long been viewed as a sign of affluence in many African cultures and the omission of meat from the diet - a sign of poverty. So when Ghana-born Ben Asamani chose to cut out meat, dairy and all meat products, the reaction was predictable. Vegan chef Ben Asamani wants to spread the benefits of veganism to a wider audience ©  MisBeee Writes Initially people thought that at 16 years old, it was a phase he would grow out of but decades later and Asamani has made a business out of veganism, and is keen to spread this way of life to others. Vegans do not eat any meat-based products and animal by-products such as eggs, diary, honey. This also extends to using leather, silk, wool and cosmetics derived from animals. Plant-based foods tend to be low in saturated fat, high in fibre and rich in antioxidants, which can combat against such health risks as obesity, heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Other reasons for becoming vegan include...